Axe sharpening device

ABSTRACT

A device for sharpening axe heads comprising a generally Ushaped frame placed over the head of the axe with opposite legs of the frame straddling opposite side faces of the axe head. Securing the frame to the head is a thumb screw threaded through one of the frame legs to engage one side face of the axe head. The other leg of the frame has an elongated aperture therein receiving a threaded bolt which in turn receives an elongated file holder arm to mount the same relative to the main frame for pivotal movement about the bolt. The inner end of the bolt has an enlarged head engaging the adjacent side face of the axe head while the other end of the bolt has a wing nut threaded thereon. A coil compression spring between the leg and the file holder arm yieldably urges the latter against the wing nut which acts as an adjustable stop. The file is mounted to the holder arm as an extention thereof by a U-shaped clamp secured across the file by wing nuts received on threaded studs of the clamp. In use the file may be grasped and oscillated across the cutting edge of the axe head as the file and its associated holder arm pivot about the bolt.

United States ate n91 Otto [ AXE SHARPENING DEVICE Lloyd W. Otto, 2317 South Hampton, Springfield, Mo. 65804 [22] Filed: Jan. 26, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 220,874

[76] Inventor:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Wilson ..76/82 Lee .176/ 82 Primary Examiner-Andrew R. Juhasz Attorney-Francis C. Browne et a1.

[ ABSTRACT A device for sharpening axe heads comprising a generally U-shaped frame placed over the head of the axe with opposite legs of the frame straddling opposite side faces of the axe head. Securing the frame to the head is a thumb screw threaded through one of the frame legs to engage one side face of the axe head. The other leg of the frame has an elongated aperture therein receiving a threaded bolt which in turn receives an elongated file holder arm to mount the same relative to the main frame for pivotal movement about the bolt. The inner end of the bolt has an enlarged head engaging the adjacent side face of the axe head while the other end of the bolt has a wing nut threaded thereon. A coil compression spring between the leg and the file holder arm yieldably urges the latter against the wing nut which acts as an adjustable stop. The file is mounted to the holder arm as an extention thereof by a U-shaped clamp secured across the file by wing nuts received on threaded studs of the clamp. in use the file may be grasped and oscillated across the cutting edge of the axe head as the file and its associated holder arm pivot about the bolt.

11 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures AXE SHARPENING DEVICE This invention generally relates to the art of sharpening axe heads and more specifically to an improved device for sharpening axe heads.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved axe sharpening device having a relatively simple construction which may be quickly and easily mounted to an axe head and yet provide effective sharpening action for imparting a smooth and uniform bevel to the cutting edge of the axe head. More specifically included herein is the provision of such a device which may be mounted in a highly stable and secure manner on the axe head to permit a file to be easily and safely oscillated across the cutting edge of the axe head to sharpen the same with any desired bevel. Further included herein is the provision of such a device which also may be easily removed from an axe head after use.

A further object of the present invention is to provide such an axe sharpening device that is adjustable to fit axe heads of various sizes without sacrificing its utility in sharpening the axes. Included herein is the provision of such an axe sharpening device which may also be adjusted to vary the angle between the file and cutting edge of the axe head to impart a desired bevel to the cutting edge of the axe head.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of such an axe sharpening device which will accommodate files of various sizes.

The above and other objects are achieved in a device having a generally U-shaped main frame adapted to be placed over an axe head with opposite legs of the main frame straddling opposite side faces of the axe head. One of the frame legs has a threaded aperture which receives a thumb screw for advancing or retracting the thumb screw relative to the side face of the axe'head to secure or loosen the frame with respect thereto. The other leg of the frame has an elongated slot extending longitudinally therein for receiving a threaded bolt which is employed to pivotally mount a tile holder arm relative to the main frame to enable the tile holder arm to pivot in a plane generally parallel to the side face of the axe for purposes of sharpening the axe as will be further described.

The holder arm has an aperture which receives the threaded bolt, and a coil compression spring is received between the leg of the main frame and the file holder arm to yieldably urge the file holder arm outwardly along the threaded bolt against a stop which is in the form of a wing nut threaded on the bolt. The inwardly positioned end of the threaded bolt has an enlarged head formed thereon and is received under the frame leg to engage the side face of the axe head. In addition, one or more portions of the frame leg project laterally of the leg to engage the side face of the axe head together with the bolt head to insure effective engagement with the latter and thereby enhance the stability ofthe mounting device to the axe head.

The file is mounted to the elongated holder arm as an extension thereof and in any suitable adjusted longitudinal position therealong by means of a clamp secured transversely across the file and holder arm. The clamp includes a cross piece which transversely overlies and engages the file, and a pair of arms in the form of threaded studs respectively receiving wing nuts for securement against the underside of the holder arm. Additionally, the end of the holder arm is provided with opposite spaced projections for receiving the file and maintaining it against transverse pivoting movement relative to the holder arm.

In use and after the device is mounted to the axe head as indicated above, the file will engage the cutting edge of the axe head and may be grasped by hand and pivoted in the general direction of the cutting edge to sharpen the same. The angle of the file relative to the cutting edge of the axe may be varied to provide a desired bevel by advancing or retracting the wing nut on the bolt in the main frame. This increases or decreases the pressure on the spring which biases the holder arm against the wing nut stop. Additionally, the portion of the file which engages the cutting edge of the axe head may be changed by loosening the wing nuts on the clamp and longitudinally moving the file along the holder arm. Additionally, the elongated slot in the leg of the main frame permits the location of the pivot axis of the holder arm to be changed along the side face of the axe head to suit the particular size of the latter.

DRAWINGS Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following more detailed description taken in conjunction with the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an axe sharpening device embodying the invention shown mounted on the side face of an axe for use;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the axe sharpening device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the axe sharpening device illustrating assembly; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the device taken generally along lines 44 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings in detail, there is shown for illustrative purposes only an improved device for sharpening axes; there being an axe head shown as A and having a cutting edge B. In the specific form shown, the device includes a main frame generally designated 1 and consisting of a pair of opposite parallel legs la and lb depending from a yoke or cross piece 10. Main frame 1 is adapted to be placed over the head of an axe as illustrated in the drawings with the op posite legs la and 1b thereof straddling the opposite side faces of the axe head. For securing main frame 1 to the head of the axe, a thumb screw 5 is provided to be received through leg la through an aperture 1d in the latter. In the specific form shown, a nut 10a having a threaded axial passage therethrough is first placed into aperture Id in leg la; there being external threads 10a on a reduced portion of the nut 10 as shown. Advancement of thumb screw 5 through nut 10 to securely engage the side face of the axe head will secure main frame 1 thereon in the position indicated.

The other leg lb of main frame I is provided with an elongated slot 1e extending longitudinally in leg lb for receiving a pivot stud shown as being in the form of a threaded bolt 2. The purpose of the pivot stud 2 is to pivotally mount a file holder arm generally designated 6 for pivotal movement in a plane generally parallel to the plane of the side face of the axe head. One end of bolt 2 is formed with an enlarged head 2a adapted to be received under leg 1b of the main frame in engagement with the side face of the axe head as shown in FIG. 4. The opposite end of bolt 2 is adapted to receive an adjustable stop shown in the form of a wing nut 4 threaded on bolt 2.

File holder arm 6 is mounted for pivotal movement about the axis of stud 2 by means of an aperture 6a formed in one end portion thereof; the bolt 2 being received through aperture 6a. A spring means shown in the form of a coil compression spring 3 is provided about bolt 2 to yieldably urge file holder arm 6 against wing nut 4. The opposite ends of spring 3 respectively engage wing nut 4 and main frame leg lb. It will be seen that by advancing or retracting wing nut 4 along bolt 2, the angular position of the holder arm relative to the side face of the axe may be adjusted. It is important that the head 2a of bolt 2 engage the side face of the axe head in order to provide effective stability for file holder arm 6. In addition, to insure effective engagement with the side face of the axe head, opposite side edge portions lfof leg 1b of the main frame are bent inwardly to engage the side face of the axe head as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

File holder arm 6 is formed in two parallel but offset longitudinal sections 6b and 6c which are offset from each other by an intermediate section 6d. Section 6c of file holder arm 6 is adapted to flatly receive one side of a file which may be any conventional file shown as 8 with the file projecting from holder arm 6 as an extension and with the handle section of the file positioned outwardly of the cutting edge B of the axe head as shown in the drawings. File 8 is secured to holder arm 6 to be pivotable therewith about bolt 2 by means of a clamp 7. The latter includes a cross portion or yoke 7a adapted to transversely overlie and engage file 8 and a pair of threaded studs 7b for respectively receiving wing nuts 9 for securing the file 8 against section 6c of the holder arm with the file 8 and section 60 in parallel overlying planes. It is preferred that opposite side edges of section 60 of file holder arm 6 be recessed at 6e to respectively receive threaded studs 7b of the clamp 7. To insure proper positioning and securement of the file 8 relative to section 6c of the holder arm, it is preferred that opposite side edge portions of the latter adjacent one end be bent inwardly at 6f to provide a recess for receiving the file.

It will be seen from the above description that once the file 8 is mounted to the holder arm 6, one may grasp the handle of the file 8 and pivot the same about bolt 2 across the side face of the axe head with the file engaging the cutting edge B of the file to sharpen the same. The angle of the file 8 relative to the cutting edge B of the axe head may be varied to vary the bevel of the cutting edge by advancing or retracting wing nut 4 along bolt 2. Additionally, the filing area of file 8 may be changed by loosening wing nuts 9 on clamp 7 and longitudinally moving the file 8 relative to holder arm 6 into the desired position whereupon wing nuts 9 are then tightened. It should further be noted that the location of the stud 2 and therefore the pivot axis of the file 8 may be adjusted along the side face A of the axe head into the proper position, depending on the size of the axe headand the contour of the side face A. The latter is permitted through the elongated slot 1 e, and the wing nut 4 which may be conveniently advanced or retracted.

It will further be seen from the above description that the device of the present invention permits the file to be positioned relative to the cutting edge B of the axe head with a great amount of control and stability to allow a uniform and smooth cutting edge to be easily imparted to the axe head. After use the device may be easily and safely removed from the axe head by loosening thumb screw 5 and removing main frame 1.

lclaim:

1. An axe sharpening device comprising in combination; a main frame having a generally U-shape including opposite legs adapted to engage opposite side faces of an axe head to be sharpened, means for releasably securing said main frame to an axe head with said legs positioned as aforesaid, one of said legs having an aperture therein, a pivot stud received through said aperture to engage one end thereof against one side face of the axe head, a stop on the stud outwardly of said one end thereof, an elongated file holder arm having an aperture receiving said stud to mount said file holder arm for pivotable movement about said stud, means on said file holder arm for releasably attaching a file to said file holder arm with the file extending longitudinally of said file holder arm to engage the cutting edge of an axe head whereby said file may be oscillated over the cutting edge to sharpen the same as the holder arm pivots about said stud, and spring means on said stud urging said file holder arm outwardly against said stop.

2. The axe sharpening device defined in claim 1 wherein said aperture in said one leg of said main frame is elongated to permit adjustment of the position of said stud depending on the size of an axe head to be sharpened thereby.

3. The axe sharpening device defined in claim 2 wherein said stop is adjustable along said stud.

4. The axe sharpening device defined in claim 3 wherein said stud is a threaded bolt and said stop is a nut threaded on said bolt.

5'. The axe sharpening device defined in claim 4 wherein said bolt has an enlarged head on said one end thereof for contacting said one side face of the axe head.

6. The axe sharpening device defined in claim 4 wherein said means for securing said frame on said axe head includes a threaded aperture in the other leg of said main frame and a thumb screw threaded in said last recited aperture to engage the side face of the axe head.

7. The axe sharpening device defined in claim 6 wherein said means on said file holder arm is a U- shaped clamp means including a cross portion adapted to transversely overlie the file, two threaded studs depending from said cross portion adapted to straddle opposite sides of the file, and a pair of nuts received on said threaded studs.

8. The axe sharpening device defined in claim 7 wherein said file holder arm has two parallel but offset sections, one section adapted to receive the file thereon and being offset from the other section inwardly toward r the axe head when the device is mounted on the axe;

head.

said pivot stud.

11. The axe sharpening device defined in claim 10 wherein said spring means is a coil compression spring mounted between said one leg of the main frame and said file holder arm with the opposite ends of 'said spring engaging respectively said one leg of the main frame and said file holder arm. 

1. An axe sharpening device comprising in combination; a main frame having a generally U-shape including opposite legs adapted to engage opposite side faces of an axe head to be sharpened, means for releasably securing said main frame to an axe head with said legs positioned as aforesaid, one of said legs having an aperture therein, a pivot stud received through said aperture to engage one end thereof against one side face of the axe head, a stop on the stud outwardly of said one end thereof, an elongated file holder arm having an aperture receiving said stud to mount said file holder arm for pivotable movement about said stud, means on said file holder arm for releasably attaching a file to said file holder arm with the file extending longitudinally of said file holder arm to engage the cutting edge of an axe head whereby said file may be oscillated over the cutting edge to sharpen the same as the holder arm pivots about said stud, and spring means on said stud urging said file holder arm outwardly against said stop.
 2. The axe sharpening device defined in claim 1 wherein said aperture in said one leg of said main frame is elongated to permit adjustment of the position of said stud depending on the size of an axe head to be sharpened thereby.
 3. The axe sharpening device defined in claim 2 wherein said stop is adjustable along said stud.
 4. The axe sharpening device defined in claim 3 wherein said stud is a threaded bolt and said stop is a nut threaded on said bolt.
 5. The axe sharpening device defined in claim 4 wherein said bolt has an enlarged head on said one end thereof for contacting said one side face of the axe head.
 6. The axe sharpening device defined in claim 4 wherein said means for securing said frame on said axe head includes a threaded aperture in the other leg of said main frame and a thumb screw threaded in said last recited aperture to engage the side face of the axe head.
 7. The axe sharpening device defined in claim 6 wherein said means on said file holder arm is a U-shaped clamp means including a cross portion adapted to transversely overlie the file, two threaded studs depending from said cross portion adapted to straddle opposite sides of the file, and a pair of nuts received on said threaded studs.
 8. The axe sharpening device defined in claim 7 wherein said file holder arm has two parallel but offset sections, one section adapted to receive the file thereon and being offset from the other section inwardly toward the axe head when the device is mounted on the axe head.
 9. The axe sharpening device defined in claim 8 wherein said one section of said arm at the end thereof has a pair of oppositely positioned portions thereof projecting to one side thereof for receiving the file therebetween, and wherein said one section of said file holder arm further includes a pair of oppositely positioned recesses in the side edges thereof for respectively receiving said threaded studs of said clamp means.
 10. The axe sharpening device defined in claim 2 wherein said one leg of said main frame has at least one portion projecting to one side thereof to engage the side face of the axe head together with said one end of said pivot stud.
 11. The axe sharpening device defined in claim 10 wherein said spring means is a coil compression spring mounted between said one leg of the main frame and said file holder arm with the opposite ends of said spring engaging respectively said one leg of the main frame and said file holder arm. 